Being transgender

What does the term transgender actually mean?

Transgender people are people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. 'Trans' is an umbrella term for transgender people. If you identify and feel comfortable with the gender you were assigned at birth, then you are cisgender. Some people also identify as agender, meaning without a gender or genderless. While many people are brought up to believe that a person can only be one of two things, a man or a woman, the reality for a lot of people it is much broader.

What is gender indentity?

Gender is not the same as sex. Sex is the female or male category you are assigned at birth. But this assigned category might not fit you as a person. Your gender is who you are on the inside, and does not have to relate to your body or how others see you.

Trans people also include people who identify as gender-neutral, non-binary, genderqueer or gender-fluid people, who may identify as outside of the 'binary' genders of man and woman. A binary is something made of only two parts. People who are non-binary or gender non-conforming, identify their gender as beyond the gender binary, somewhere within it, or may reject the male/female binary altogether.

It’s important to remember that someone’s gender identity does not determine other aspects of their life, such as their sexual orientation or sex life. Your sexual orientation is about who you like, and your gender identity is who you are.

How do you know if you are trans?

Some trans people have known they are trans from a very young age, while others might realise much later in life. Nomatter what age someone is, it is important to respect someone's gender identity and trust they know themselves best. For some people, discovering their gender identity is a process that takes time, and they might identify differently at numerous points in their life. Other people will have one gender identity for their whole lives and never question it.

How can I support transgender people?

You can't tell someone's gender identity just by looking at them, but your gender expression, or how you express your gender, is visible. Some trans people appear and dress themselves in ways to express their gender identity. Others have surgeries to allign their gender identity with their appearance. But it is important to remember that not all trans people will express their gender through their appearance or with surgery. No matter how someone looks, their gender identity and expression should still be respected.

It’s important if you are friends with or know a trans person to address them with the gender they refer to themselves as and refer to them with their chosen name and gender pronouns. Some gender pronouns include 'she/her', 'they/them', or 'he/his'. Here's an article written by one of our volunteers about using 'they/them' pronouns.

There can be as many gender identities as there are people in the world, because we are all unique and experience our genders differently. If someone's gender identity doesn't make sense to you, it is important to respect who they are no matter what. Our gender identities are personal to us, and it is okay if someone does not fit a social 'norm'.

What's the difference between Trans and other terms?

Transsexual is an older term that originated in the medical and psychological communities. It is no longer prefered by many transgender people, and should not be used as a general term. A transsexual person can be someone who has changed - or wants to change - their body through medical interventions.

Cross-dressers are people who like to wear the clothes associated with another gender, but who don't necessarily identify as another gender.

Drag Kings/Drag Queens are people who exaggerate stereotypical female and male roles, generally for the purpose of entertainment.

Intersex people are people whose sex characteristics vary from tradtitional female or male types.

Is there support in Ireland for trans people?

If you are questioning your gender identity and need support, it can help to talk to someone. A professional counsellor or therapist (who is informed on trans issues and has worked with other trans people) may be able to help you talk through what you are going through and provide support.